14 Days Lockdown: ATM, Online Banking Operations To Remain Functional

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES THE CBN GOVERNOR, EMEFIELE 1-2B. President Muhammadu Buhari receives and congratulate the Central Bank Governor of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele in his office State House Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. MAY 13 2019

Following the federal government announcement of 14 days lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in conjunction with the federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning aimed to ensure smooth Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and online banking operations.

The Honorable Minister, Zainab Ahmed and Governor, CBN, Godwin Emefiele in a circular titled, ‘COVID-19: CBN, Minister of Finance Put Necessary Measure For Financial System Operations’, on Monday said 14 days restriction is critical to significantly reduce the transmission rate of the disease and make it much easier for health professionals to trace, test and isolate patients.

The Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor in a signed circular on behalf of the two stakeholders said, Nigerians can still perform online transactions and ATMs transactions whilst observing restrictions.

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According to him, “In light of the devastating effects of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) on many countries around the world, we applaud and appreciate the appropriate and proactive restrictions in personal and vehicular movement directed by President Muhammadu Buhari in his speech of Sunday 29 March 2020.

“These restrictions are critical to significantly reduce the transmission rate of the disease and make it much easier for health professionals to trace, test and isolate patients.

“To ensure that Nigerians can still perform online transactions and use ATMs whilst observing these restrictions, we will like to inform the general public and all affected stakeholders that we have obtained exemptions from the President to allow very skeletal operations in the Financial System and Money Markets in order to keep the system in light operations during this time.

“To this end, all relevant staff of affected outfits and agencies should look out for further instructions from their immediate bosses. We are mindful of the difficulties these restrictions would bring on ordinary Nigerians and are grateful to the President for approving these exemptions, which should help ease some of these burdens.”